Annette Sizemore placed third with her Golden Retriever, Circus, in the second Westminster Kennel Club Masters Obedience Championship held in New York City.

Thirty-five entries were invited based on points earned as a part of the 141st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

The first round of competition consisted of Regular Class Open/Utility obedience exercises, including a signal exercise, drop on recall, directed jumping, retrieve over high jump, a group sit stay exercise, and scent discrimination. The top 10 scoring dogs moved on to the second round, which was a six-minute freestyle routine designed by the handler “to showcase the broad spectrum of obedience at its ultimate finest.’

“I work and train hard, and I enjoy winning. But what I love most about the sport of dog obedience is that you can put in as much as you want to,” Sizemore, from Greer, said.

“It's a sport where you can be rich or poor, have a thousand dollar dog or a free one from the shelter. I see people who are using canes or wheelchairs that are able to still engage in the sport and spend the day with some great friends. I have a son who is learning disabled, but when he and his dog step into the ring that does not matter. Anyone can participate with some hard work.”

Sizemore has taught obedience classes for eight years at Dog Trainers Workshop in Fountain Inn and her experience includes a long line of competitive obedience dogs including Utility titles on a Dachshund and Welsh Corgi and an Open title on a Rottweiler.

Sizemore and Circus's second round freestyle performance may be found at https://youtu.be/Gtfoae4dyps. Their preliminary rounds may be found at https://youtu.be/2mXjztoEsqE and https://youtu.be/lLDiWdf0Jdk.